Grapple



A. A. MUNN Nov 10, 1931.

GRAPPLE Filed May 25. 1931 ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 10, 1931 UNITED STATES PA ANDREW ASA MUNN, or RAI ID C I TY SOUTH DAKOTA GRAPPlLE Application filed May 25,

This invention relates generally to grapples and more particularly to an attachment for grapples of the form shown in my Patent Number 1,781,518, issued November 11, 1930. v

The main object of the invention is to provide an attachment by the use of which two grapples may be employed for lifting a load and may be engaged therewith at relatively remote points thereby greatly facilitating the lifting and handling of a load of greater length and breadth inasmuch as the grapple need not be engaged exactly at the center of the load in order to maintain the balance thereof.

Another object is to provide an attachment of this kind in which the grappling hooks of both grapples may be as readily opened and closed in the operations of lifting and other handling of a load as they are in the use of a sine'le grapple.

A further object is to provide an attachment of this kind in a simple, durable and efficient form and one so constructed as to permit the ready removal of either grapple for use alone when desired.

With these and other objects in view the invention resides in the novel construction and arrangement of parts as hereinafter set forth and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein;

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the attachment and the attached grapples.

Figure 2 is an end view thereof.

Figure 3 is an enlarged section along the line 3-3 in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective detail view of one of the strain equalizing hooks and its attaching means. I

all)

gether.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings the reference numerals 1 and 2 designate two grapples includingspaced side plates 3 between which the grappling hooks 4 are pivoted at 5. the said books at their upper ends passing through slots 6 in the operating links 7 slidably mounted between said side plates 3. The arrangement is such that an upward pull on the links 7 will cause the lower ends of the hooks 1 to swing to-- In normal position the Weight of the 1931. Serial No. 539,777.

links 7 and the upper ends of the hooks is i I suflicient to counterbalance the lower ends of the hooks and cause them to rest apart. The foregoing construction and arrangement is identical with that shown in my prior patent hereinbefore referred to and no invention therefor is herein claimed.

The present invention comprises a connecting or cross bar 8 of any desired length and preferably, though not necessarily, U-shaped in cross section as here shown and having end portions of its'bight or connecting web cut away or slotted as shown at 9 to receive the operating links 7 of the grapples 1 and, 2. The cross bar 8 isbolted to these links 7 adjacenttheir upper ends by bolts 10 passed through'the side webs 11 of the bar and the links. Shackles 12 of U-shaped form have their legs 13 disposed between the side webs 11 of the cross bar 8 and the operating links 7 as best shown in Figure 2, these legs 13 having apertures 14 through which the bolts 10 pass thereby securing the shackles in place. The bights 15 of the shackles 12 are turned inwardly and hooks 16 are secured thereto,

the purpose of these hooks being hereinafter set forth. A clevis 17 is secured by a bolt 18 to the center of the cross bar 8 and extends upwardly therefrom, the legs 19 being spaced I apart above'the cross bar to receive a block 20 disposed therebetween and held in place by a bolt 21. A ring 22 is secured to the upper end of the clevis 17 and an operating cable 23 is secured thereto. It will now be understood that an upward pull on this op erating cable 23 will result in an upward movement of both the operating links 7010sing the lower ends of the grappling hooks 4 upon the load therebetween. The end of the operating cable is of course attached to any conventional lifting beam, derrick or other device (not shown). In order to equalize the strain 011 the ends of the cross bar 8 and to reinforce the same against the downward strain at its ends a cable 24 is secured at its ends to the hooks 16 and is passed through thelegs19 of the clevis 17 over the block 20 therebetweeit A turnbuckle 25 of conventional form is provided in the cable whereby the same may be stretched to a taut condition whereupon it will serve as a brace for the ends of the cross bar as set forth.

In order to bring about the opening of the grappling hooks t as hereinbefore set forth it is necessary that the weight of the assembly be removed from the operating links 7 and for this purpose I provide the arrangement now to'be described; Pulley housings 26 are mounted upon the upper ends of the operating links 7 by bolts 27 passed through the spaced tangs 28 ofthehousings which'areset over the ends of the links as shown. Pulleys 29 are journaled in the housings 26 upon'the shafts 30 and a release cable 31 is trained over these pulleys and depended at its ends down alongside the operating links 7. The cable 31 is secured atthese ends to eyes-32. secured to the'outer side plates3 of the grapples 1 and 2-3 Intermediate its ends the cable 31 is formed-into a'loop 33- to which'oneend of the cable 34' is secured. It will be'evident that a pull upon this cable 34' willresult in removing-the weight of the structure as a whole from the Operatinglinks-T allowing the same todropdownwardto spread-the lower ends of the grapplinfg hooks 4: apart to: release'the load gripped therebetween.

, From the foregoing it will be apparent'that I have provided a simple, strong and efficient structure for the purpose set forth. Inas much asthe grapples land-2- are'disposed-at" a considerable distance apart they will grip aloa'd at widelyspaced points greatly facilitating the handling-of elongated objects such asjtimbers andthe like. Eitherofthegrap plesl' and 2 may be readily removed for use alonegr'it being'simply' necessary to'remove the boltslOandQ'? and-attach? an operating cable and release cable't'o the operating link? and side plates 3 as will be'readily apparent;

Whileli have-hereinsetforth a certain-preferred embodiment of my invention it is understoodthat I may vary from the same in minor structural details so as best to constru'ct a practical. device for the purposes intended notdeparting from the" spirit of; the invention and withinthe scope of the append-' ed claims.

I claim:

1 In a device of the kind described, in combination with a pair of grapples including slidable operating links, a cross bar secured at its ends to the said operating links, and lifting and releasing means for simultaneously operating the said operating links.

1 2.;In a device of the kind described, in combination with a pair of grapples including' vertically slidable operating links adapted to-close the'grapples-upon an upward pull and open the grapples upon the cessation of that pull, a cross bar secured at its ends to the saidoperatinglinks, a lifting clevis secured to the cross bar at the center thereof, pulley housings secured on the operating links, pnlileysj'ournaled in the pulley housings and 9.

release cable trained over the pulleys and connected at its ends to the grapples free of the operating links.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ANDREW ASA MUNN. 

